The importance of plant health

Seed or plant health refers to the disease status of a seed or plant sample and the presence or absence of disease-causing organisms and pests.

Why is plant health testing important

Crops are frequently infected with a range of common seed-borne or systemic pathogens that may not be visible or easily recognized during seed collection. Seed-borne or systemic inoculums may reduce longevity during storage and cause poor germination or field establishment. Seed-borne and systemic inoculums also are a source of infection and spread disease in the field, reducing the value of crops. Exchange of infected seeds or plant material may allow spread of diseases and pests into new regions. Genebanks should ensure that seeds or plant material prepared for conservation are free from seed-borne or systemic diseases and pests.

Common seed-borne or systemic pests and pathogens

There are four main types of common organisms that are carried in seeds or plant material and affect a wide range of crops:

Fungi

Bacteria

Virus

Insects

Specific methods for detecting pathogens vary by organism and host, and specific methods are required for accurate identification of most pathogens.

See the safe movement of germplasm section on this site for lists of common pathogens of quarantine importance for a range of crops and information on best practices for safe movement of germplasm.

The Genebanks

Sign up to our

Newsletter

Thank you

close-icon

The CGIAR Genebank Platform enables CGIAR Research Centers to fulfill their legal obligation to conserve and make available accessions of crops and trees on behalf of the global community under the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.